Rangers fan receives fine and ban for sectarian slurs

Herald reporter

A 32-year-old man who chanted racist and sectarian abuse on a ScotRail train following a football match has this week been handed a fine and Football Banning Order (FBO).

Stephen Bain, from Kingsway in Kirkintilloch, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday, July 18 where the two year FBO and a £2,000 fine was handed to him.

The incident happened on Sunday, February 19, after the Dundee v Rangers game when Bain took the 7.03pm train from Dundee to Glasgow Queen Street.

During the journey towards Glasgow the Rangers fan began chanting his support for the team before chanting a number of racial and sectarian slurs.

The guard on the service intervened after passengers complained, unsuccessfully asking Bain to stop being anti-social.

His behaviour was then reported by the guard to British Transport Police officers, who met the train at Glasgow Queen Street where Bain was identified and detained.

He was later charged and pleaded guilty to an offence under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.

PC Gordon Wason from British Transport Police, said: “Racist and abusive behaviour such as this will simply never be tolerated and I welcome this sentence. The vast majority of football fans use the rail network peacefully and without trouble. It is a shame that Bain decided to act in such a disgraceful way.

“Not only has Bain received a significant fine, he has also been handed a two year football banning order. Because of his abusive actions, he is now forbidden from going to watch his team – or any other – for the next two years. Hopefully this should act as a firm reminder to him that this unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with seriously.

“I am grateful that the guard on this train alerted this behaviour to us by sending a discreet text to our 61016 service. In doing so, we were able to mobilise our officers and work with ScotRail to ensure the service was met promptly at Glasgow Queen Street. I would encourage anyone who ever witnesses criminality or anti-social behaviour on the rail network to get in touch.”

David Lister, ScotRail Alliance Safety, Sustainability and Assurance Director, said: “Abuse of any kind is not tolerated on the railway. We will continue to work closely with the British Transport Police to clamp down on this unacceptable behaviour.”